Japan's PM struggles to push budget through parliament

TOKYO : Japan's government is struggling to push through parliament its budget for the next fiscal year, starting in April. This will be the country's biggest ever budget - worth 92.4 trillion yen, or about US$1 trillion. For the passage of the package itself, the lower house decision will override the upper house where the opposition holds a majority. So technically, there is no worry of the budget itself not passing parliament. But the related bills to implement the budget will also require lawmakers' support. There is however uncertainty whether the bills will be approved by the upper house. On Monday, Prime Minister Naoto Kan was busy defending his budget bills, saying that the spending was needed to keep Japan's moderate, export-driven recovery on track. He is expected to get enough votes in the lower house but 16 Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) lawmakers there have r...